How to Pass CEB's SHL Verbal Reasoning Tests – JobTestPrep's Experts Explain

Before you take the test, make sure it is indeed delivered by CEB's SHL and try to find out the test type. Graduates and managers are usually given a True/False/ Cannot say (Verbal Reasoning) test, the most common SHL verbal reasoning test. Senior managers may also face a Verbal Analysis test or a verbal application test. Operational staff will likely face Verbal Comprehension or Verbal Usage tests.

Scoring 90/100 doesn’t necessarily mean you have done well.  You need to do better than other candidates to ensure you get the highest possible result. You can reach your full potential by learning and practising.

• Learning - You need to learn how the test’s format “works”. For example, if you are going to sit a True/False/Cannot say test, you need to learn how to differentiate between a ‘false’ statement and a ‘cannot say’ statement. You need to learn how to ignore prior knowledge and regard the passage only, and to identify words and phrases that define the relationship between parts of the statement. You can learn Verbal Reasoning with JobTestPrep’s videos, study guides and hundreds of detailed explanations.
• Practising - Practising will help you increase your speed and accuracy and reduce your stress on the real test. In addition, it will help you choose the solving strategy that fits you best (reading the passage first vs. reading the statement first). Practise SHL-specific and level-specific tests rather than generic tests. A specific test helps you prepare specifically for the test format and difficulty you will encounter on your assessment.

Remember: You have to combine learning and practising since none of the two is sufficient alone. Practising without learning may only strengthen bad strategies and logical failures whereas only learning may not be implemented in a time limited, stressful test.

We mentioned above that True/False/Cannot-say is the most common SHL verbal test type. On this test, you need to determine if a statement is true or false according to a given passage, or logically impossible to infer. Particularly confusing to many people is to determine when 'cannot say' is the correct answer and when to answer 'false'. In order to answer ‘false’ you need to reach a high level of certainty that the passage is contradicted by the statement. Check out our video to see how you can learn more. Inside our practice area you will find, in addition to our tutorials, all the relevant practice tests.  

You can learn and practice all different types of Verbal Reasoning tests with JobTestPrep. We have excellent CEB SHL-style tests specifically made for graduate, senior managerial and entry-level candidates, and great study guides and video tutorials to help you learn basic principles and solving strategies.